Even heavy rains could not dampen the festive spirit and decked up shops could be seen selling rakhis – the sacred thread – henna, bangles and sweets.

“Rakhi celebrates the brother-sister bond. The festival is also a culmination of the holy month of Sawan, and there are traditions like applying henna, and wearing green bangles which relate to the green colour associated with this monsoon month,” said Ritika Goel, a housewife from Kalkaji of South Delhi.

For Radhika Sharma, a 30-year-old from Sarojini Nagar area of Delhi, her biggest concern was not to buy Made in China Rakhis.

“We were not so aware in the past years, but this time, we had pledged not to buy Chinese Rakhis,” Sharma said.

She also said that the shopkeepers assured her the Rakhis were Made in India. “It may be slightly costlier but it ensures the festival is what it should be – celebration of the Indian culture and traditions,” she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meanwhile celebrated the festival with school girls and a group of Brahma Kumaris who tied rakhis on his wrist.